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A review by book_concierge
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
5.0
Subtitle: A Novel of the Plague
From the frontspiece
HISTORICAL NOTE
In the 1580s, a couple living on Henley Street, Stratford, had three children: Susanna, then Hamnet and Judith, who were twins
The boy, Hamnet, died in 1596, aged eleven.
Four years or so later, the father wrote a play called Hamlet.
My reactions
Wow. You think you know where a story is headed because you know something of the historical figures depicted, and then an author completely surprises you.
O’Farrell focuses the story on Agnes, the wife, mother, sister, daughter, stepdaughter and daughter-in-law. She peoples the novel with a wide variety of villagers: shopkeepers, cleric, farmers, midwife, and neighbors; all of whom give the reader a sense of time and place and who provide a vivid background for the intimate story she tells.
Gosh but I loved Agnes … a strong-willed young woman who knew her worth and her gifts, a loving wife and mother, a woman struck down by tragedy, and a woman who harnessed her anger to seek truth.
The writing is beautiful and engaging. I kept reading passages aloud. The last 20 pages or so were simply marvelous. And the last line … perfect.
I can hardly wait for my book club discussion!
From the frontspiece
HISTORICAL NOTE
In the 1580s, a couple living on Henley Street, Stratford, had three children: Susanna, then Hamnet and Judith, who were twins
The boy, Hamnet, died in 1596, aged eleven.
Four years or so later, the father wrote a play called Hamlet.
My reactions
Wow. You think you know where a story is headed because you know something of the historical figures depicted, and then an author completely surprises you.
O’Farrell focuses the story on Agnes, the wife, mother, sister, daughter, stepdaughter and daughter-in-law. She peoples the novel with a wide variety of villagers: shopkeepers, cleric, farmers, midwife, and neighbors; all of whom give the reader a sense of time and place and who provide a vivid background for the intimate story she tells.
Gosh but I loved Agnes … a strong-willed young woman who knew her worth and her gifts, a loving wife and mother, a woman struck down by tragedy, and a woman who harnessed her anger to seek truth.
The writing is beautiful and engaging. I kept reading passages aloud. The last 20 pages or so were simply marvelous. And the last line … perfect.
I can hardly wait for my book club discussion!